Core i3-4010U vs Core 2 Duo T9300

Core i3-4010U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 1.7 GHz2013

Core 2 Duo T9300

2 Cores2 Thrd6 WWMax: 2.5 GHz2008

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i3-4010U

2 / 4

1,660

0.0%

1,670

+0.6%

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i3-4010U is positioned at rank 179 and the Core 2 Duo T9300 is on rank 176, so the Core 2 Duo T9300 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-4010U

#49

Core i9-12900HX

MSRP: $606|Avg: N/A

99%

#167

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

353%

#168

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

348%

#169

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

320%

#170

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

318%

#171

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

315%

#173

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

305%

#174

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

292%

#175

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

292%

#176

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

284%

#179

Core i3-4010U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#193

Pentium Gold 4417U

MSRP: $161|Avg: N/A

98%

#194

Atom N475

MSRP: $75|Avg: N/A

98%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo T9300

#49

Core i9-12900HX

MSRP: $606|Avg: N/A

99%

#164

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

351%

#165

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

346%

#166

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

318%

#167

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

316%

#168

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

314%

#170

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

303%

#171

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

290%

#172

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

290%

#173

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

282%

#176

Core 2 Duo T9300

MSRP: $316|Avg: $20

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Core 2 Duo T9300 delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Core i3-4010U in both compute-intensive tasks (0.6% faster) and gaming workloads.

Insight	Core i3-4010U	Core 2 Duo T9300
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($20)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Insight	Core i3-4010U	Core 2 Duo T9300
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($20)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i3-4010U Benchmark Check

Core 2 Duo T9300 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-4010U and Core 2 Duo T9300

Core i3-4010U

The Core i3-4010U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 1.7 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,660 points. Launch price was $281.

Core 2 Duo T9300

The Core 2 Duo T9300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 January 2008 (17 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 6 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,670 points. Launch price was $316.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i3-4010U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core 2 Duo T9300's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 1.7 GHz on the Core i3-4010U versus 2.5 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T9300 — a 38.1% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo T9300 (base: 1.7 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i3-4010U uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core 2 Duo T9300 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-4010U scores 1,660 against the Core 2 Duo T9300's 1,670 — a 0.6% lead for the Core 2 Duo T9300. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-4010U vs 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo T9300.

Feature	Core i3-4010U	Core 2 Duo T9300
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	1.7 GHz	2.5 GHz+47%
Base Clock	1.7 GHz	2.5 GHz+47%
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	6 MB L2 Cache+100%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	6 MB+2300%
Process	22 nm-51%	45 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Penryn (2008−2011)
PassMark	1,660	1,670
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	432

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-4010U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core 2 Duo T9300 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3L-1600 memory speed. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support.

Feature	Core i3-4010U	Core 2 Duo T9300
Socket	FCBGA1168	PGA478
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+173%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600	DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	12	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-4010U) vs VT-x (Core 2 Duo T9300). The Core i3-4010U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4400), while the Core 2 Duo T9300 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-4010U targets Mobile, Core 2 Duo T9300 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo T9300 rivals Athlon Silver 3050U.